FTC Marks Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week February 3-7, 2020

The Federal Trade Commission will mark Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, February 3-7, 2020, by co-hosting a series of free events highlighting the warning signs of tax identity theft and government imposter scams, ways consumers can protect themselves, and what to do if a consumer is a victim of tax identity theft.

Tax identity theft occurs when a person uses someone else’s Social Security number to either file a tax return and claim the victim’s refund, or to earn wages that are reported as the victim’s income. The events provide helpful tips for all consumers. Some also offer special information for active duty service members, older adults, and small businesses.

The events include:

The FTC, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service host a webinar on January 29 at 1 p.m. ET on identity theft, tax identity theft, and government imposter scams.

The FTC and IRS host a webinar on February 4 at 2 p.m. ET for small businesses focused on practical data security practices to protect sensitive business and customer information and imposter scams that target small businesses.

The FTC, AARP, and the U.S. Treasury Department host telephone Town Hall meetings on February 5, at 10 a.m. ET and 1 p.m. ET, on tax identity theft and government imposter scams.

The Federal Trade Commission and federal, state, and local agencies, consumer groups, and national advocacy organizations, will participate in the 22st annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) on March 1-7, 2020.